Female Prisoners Getting Pregnant, 196 Babies Living In Custody: Plea In Calcutta HC Seeks Prohibition On Entry Of Male Employees In Female Prisoners' Enclosure

A plea has been moved in the Calcutta High Court by the amicus curiae of all prisons in West Bengal, flagging instances of female prisoners getting pregnant while in custody in the correctional homes of the state.

The plea was mentioned before a division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Supratim Bhattacharya.

I have observed that women prisoners in custody are getting pregnant during stay in the prison. Already 196 babies are staying in different prisons. On such basis, I am suggesting prohibition of entry of male employees of correctional homes in enclosure of female prisoners, it was stated.

It was further submitted that the amicus curiae had recently visited a correctional home with the Inspector General of Prisons, wherein they found a pregnant female inmate, and fifteen other babies living in custody with their mothers, who were also inmates of the correctional home.

Upon hearing the plea, the bench was of the opinion that the amicus curiae had raised a serious issue.

Accordingly, it directed for the matter to be placed before the division bench having determination over criminal matters to ensure the presence of the public prosecutor.

Case No: WPA/4510/1997

Case Name: TAPAS KR.BHANJA v STATE